BIO: Steven Tyler

Judge on AMERICAN IDOL

By

Story Created:
Oct 5, 2010 at 3:53 PM EST

Story Updated:
Feb 4, 2011 at 3:44 PM EST

Born Stephen Victor Tallarico on March 26, 1948, in Yonkers, NY, Steven Tyler is the iconic songwriter, composer and voice of Aerosmith – America’s greatest rock-and-roll band – and is considered one of rock’s most recognizable and dynamic frontmen. Rolling Stone has cited him one of the greatest singers of all time. After moving to Boston in the late 1960s, Tyler met the musicians with whom he would form Aerosmith: guitarist Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton, guitarist Ray Tabano (who was later replaced by Brad Whitford) and drummer Joey Kramer.

The quintessential lead singer, Tyler is also known to play harmonica, percussion (he began his career as a drummer) and piano on occasion. His one-of-a-kind style can always be seen at the microphone with his signature scarves wrapped around the mic stand, outrageous hats and embellished stage clothes supporting his unmatched stage swagger. Aerosmith played its first gig together in 1970, and by 1975, emerged as one of the world’s leading rock bands. Almost 40 years later, the “Bad Boys from Boston” continue to excite fans in stadiums and arenas worldwide. Aerosmith came full circle when they played to a sold-out crowd in August 2010 at Fenway Park, a few blocks from where they had their humble beginnings as a band. Closing out the show, Steven Tyler appeared atop the famed Green Monster in the outfield projecting his classic smash “Dream On” on a white baby grand piano to a mesmerized audience in what can only be described as one of the greatest moments in recent rock-and-roll history. The band has sold over 100 million records and has won numerous prestigious awards, including Grammys, American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and MTV Awards. Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Many of the band’s greatest hits have topped the Billboard charts throughout the years: “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Toys In The Attic,” “Janie’s Got A Gun,” “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” “Livin’ On The Edge,” “Cryin,” “Crazy,” “Amazing,” “ Pink,” “Love In An Elevator,” “Dude (Looks Like A Lady) and “Mama Kin.” Their trendsetting videos defined the video era, and the band has infiltrated rock history with their memorable film and TV appearances, including “Wayne’s World,” “The Simpsons” and the Super Bowl XXXV Halftime Show in 2001, as well as with their own version of Guitar Hero, the smash hit video game. Tyler’s autobiography, “Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?,” is set for release early next year.